Walking the walk
helps them talk the talk

By Lauren Fritsky
Times Staff Writer

My Huynh looked down at the pile of juicy, red strawberries. She picked up the knife and got to work.
"Cut the leaves off," said the small, smiling woman, working carefully. "Slice the strawberry. Put the strawberry in the blender."
Her four classmates, other Vietnamese immigrants from her East Oak Lane neighborhood, took turns preparing and then blending the fruit.
"Why are we doing this?" asked instructor Jim Stanton as the blender whizzed to life.
"To make it smooth," answered student Quen Luo.
What looked like a cooking demonstration was actually a unique course in English as a Second Language. The Concentrated Language Encounter, a program sponsored by Rotary International, relies on immersion techniques to teach non-native speakers English. Though it began through Rotary years ago in other parts of the world, it made its American debut in Philadelphia earlier this year.
The Torresdale-Frankford Rotary Club operates the program locally. The most recent class took place at First Philadelphia Charter School for Literacy, where school started on Aug. 8.
Instead of following along in a textbook or pouring over vocabulary lists, the program teaches English by requiring students to perform everyday tasks to familiarize themselves with what words mean.
They draw images next to words to make a connection and then describe their actions in full sentences, both orally and on paper.
Students don’t use textbooks or do homework but rely instead on putting the language to practical use, said Stanton, the president-elect of the local Rotary club and a spokesman for the charter school.
"Even if it’s slang, it’s their words," he said. "They own it."
First Philadelphia reading specialist Debbie Smith knew early on that she wanted to participate in CLE. She originally wanted to work with children but finds teaching committed, eager adults to be rewarding.
"They are so excited to learn," she said.
The CLE students got a visit from Rotary International president Wilf Wilkinson and members from other local clubs.
The Rotarians remarked that while the students now rely on many words to string together sentences in English, they would probably become more conversational as they get more familiar with the language.
"English is not an easy language," Wilkinson said.
Stanton has already sent letters home to non-English speaking parents of First Philadelphia students to gauge their interest in signing up for the CLE program. About 15 have responded. Their native tongues range from Portuguese to Chinese. Stanton will teach the class on Thursday evenings.
For more information on upcoming CLE programs, contact Stanton at 215-743-3100. ••
Reporter Lauren Fritsky can be reached at 215-354-3038 or lfritsky@phillynews.com